#dan inouye

[govneilabercrombie]

Governor’s Statement Regarding the Award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Sen. Inouye

HONOLULU — The Presidential Medal of Freedom was posthumously awarded to Sen. Daniel K. Inouye today by President Barack Obama. The late Senator, who in 2000 was presented the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton for his service in World War II, was one of 16 honored today with what is the nation’s highest civilian honor.

The Governor stated:

“The Senator gave everything in his devotion to Hawaii Nei and our nation, a fact now recognized by two United States Presidents and two of our nation’s highest honors. I can think of no one more deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His service was the epitome of valor and the Aloha Spirit.

“The people of Hawaii cherish Dan’s legacy of courage, integrity and service, and we offer our deepest gratitude to the Inouye family.”

[civilbeat-blog]

Bad Blood May Mean Primary Challenges For Gov, Schatz

Tongues are already wagging in anticipation of bloody 2014 election battles for both Sen. Brian Schatz and the man who appointed him, Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Roll Call reports that both are vulnerable, especially after the governor went against many local Democrats by picking his own choice to replace the late Sen. Dan Inouye over the senator's own hand-picked successor. 

Roll Call reports:

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s decision last month to appoint Brian Schatz to the Senate could unfurl divisive Democratic primaries for the seats of both men in 2014, including from within the congressional delegation. ...

“There is buzz that folks are going to get primaried, there’s no question about that,” a Hawaii Democratic source said. “But as of now, it’s just a rumor." ...

A source close to Hanabusa said the second-term Democrat has been encouraged to challenge Schatz in the special election next year. The source called it an attractive race for any qualified candidate but said that most will likely await Hanabusa’s decision, which could come within six months.

Read more.

[civilbeat-blog]

Daniel Inouye: Alaska's Third Senator

There was a nice piece today on the late Sen. Inouye written by Inuit elder William L. Iggiagruk Hensley, who served the Alaska Legislature for 10 years. Willie recalls meeting Sen. Inouye on a four-day trip the Senator made to Alaska in 1988, when he toured conditions in the small community villages populated mainly by Native Alaskans. The tour was planned by the president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. 

Willie notes that “Sen. Inouye embodied the spiritual essence of a wise leader watching over his people” for Alaska Natives and American Indians. Sen. Inouye’s role as “security blanket” in the American Indian world seems especially poignant in light of today’s assignment of his replacement Brian Schatz to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Willie also remembers Sen. Inouye’s spiritual side, noting “how proud he was to tell me that wherever he went, the rain stopped.” Overall it's an interesting perspective on "Alaska's third Senator."

[civilbeat-blog]

Alaska Has 2 Senators on Appropriations, Good News for Hawaii?

The ties between Hawaii and Alaska in the U.S. Senate run deep. The late Sen. Dan Inouye often called former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens "his brother."

Now that Alaska has two senators on the Appropriations Committee, could it be a boon from Hawaii? U.S. Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska was appointed to the Appropriations seat left vacant by Inouye.

The Associated Press reports: 

That would put both of Alaska's senators - Begich and Sen. Lisa Murkowski - on the committee, which Begich said will be an "incredibly powerful opportunity" for the state. But he said in an interview Friday that he also expects to carry on the spirit of cooperation between Alaska and Hawaii, forged over decades by Inouye, of Hawaii, and then-U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, of Alaska.

Hawaii has one of the most junior delegations in Congress following Inouye's death last month that ended his 50 years in the Senate, and Sen. Daniel Akaka's retirement after 22 years.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/01/04/2742431/alaska-looking-at-2-senators-on.html#storylink=cpy

[dc808]

Hawaii's Newest Senator Will Ride Air Force One to D.C.

The White House confirms that Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz will hitch a ride on Air Force One to Washington D.C., which departs Wednesday evening so that the president can deal with the fiscal cliff.

White House Press Pool report:

According to a White House official, Senator-designate Brian Schatz, appointed this afternoon to fill the seat held by Daniel Inouye, will fly to DC with the president on Air Force One tonight.

[civilbeat-blog]

Inouye's Office 'Disappointed' His Last Wish 'Not Honored'

Terse statement out of Dan Inouye's office after the news that Gov. Neil Abercrombie did not choose the late senator's hand-picked replacement, Colleen Hanabusa. 

It reads like a rather grudging congratulations:

"Senator Inouye conveyed his final wish to Governor Abercrombie.  While we are very disappointed that it was not honored, it was the Governor's decision to make.  We wish Brian Schatz the best of luck," Jennifer Sabas, Chief of Staff to former Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, said in a statement.

Read our related coverage: 

- Inouye's Last Wish Is Abercrombie's Biggest Burden

[civilbeat-blog]

'Why I Want To Be Your U.S. Senator'

Hawaii Democrats have picked their three names. 

But earlier this morning the party heard 2-minute pitches from the U.S. senator applicants as they appealed to their fellow Democrats. Here are the highlights:

Esther Kiaaina, a former intern for Sen. Dan Inouye, aide to Sen. Dan Akaka and chief of staff for former Rep. Ed Case: "I have the most congressional experience than any other candidate in this room."

Blake Oshiro: "I have progressive values, a record of legislative effectiveness, 11 years of maintaining relations on both sides of the aisles," he said. He also admitted that his being "very liberal" and having never run a race statewide could make him vulnerable in 2014, but said he has already received indications of financial backing.

Ed Case: He said Hawaii had to face reality — that  "our congressional delegation has never been in as precarious a position as it is today, not just in loss of seniority but of national leadership." 

Colleen Hanabusa: While honored to have the endorsement of Inouye, she said the decision rests with the State Central Committee and the governor. "The most critical thing is to hit the ground running," she said in terms of picking a new senator.

Tulsi Gabbard: "I would be the first female veteran ever in the U.S. Senate."

Brian Schatz: He said no one can fill Inouye's shoes but "What we want to do today is find the right person to walk in his footsteps."

—Chad Blair

[civilbeat-blog]

Tulsi Gabbard Applies for Inouye Vacancy

Tulsi Gabbard is looking to make the jump to the U.S. Senate before even taking a seat in the House.

Gabbard, who was just elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November, announed today she wants to fill late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's seat. 

Here's a statement Gabbard sent out about her decision:

"In the military, I learned that 'leadership' means raising your hand and volunteering for the tough important assignments. Senator Inouye did that as a young man, and he inspired a generation of young soldiers like me. Now it is our responsibility to step up, for the good of Hawaii. In that spirit, I place my name into consideration for the seat he filled so ably."

Gabbard now joins many others who want to replace Inouye, including Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, former Congressman Ed Case and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz.

The Hawaii Democratic Party's State Central Committee is expected to give Gov. Neil Abercrombie a list of three candidatese on Wednesday. 

Abercrombie could make a decision that day.

—Nick Grube